Casting apparatus.



E. B. VAN WAGNER.

GASTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29, 1908.

Patented Oct. 13,1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET '1.

Fig. I.

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' Afro/elven:

E. B. VAN WAGNER.

' CASTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29, 1908.

Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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ITO all whom it mayconcern.

PATEET ormcn.

ELBEBT' B. van WAGNER, or SYRACUSE, new "ir'ORK, CASTING- nrrnnn'rus.

Be it known'that L'ELBERT B. VAN Whe- NER, a citizen of the-United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of, Onondaga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Casting Apparatus, of which the following; is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in casting apparatus, having for its'object the making of what is commonly called finished castings, and wherein the molten metal is forced into the molds or dies under pressure other than by the force of gravity. in my application, Serial No; 423,819,

, filed March 28, 1908 1 show and claim-a casting, apparatus for making finished metal castings iinderpressure, chiefly fromv metals having low fusing points, wherein provision is made for independently heating "the molten metal discharge passages, and generally simplifyin the construction of the device, bywhich castin may be made i nore'rapidly and more eflectively. The present invention is an improvement in the device therein shown, and "has forjits particular object the providing of a casting machine in which the constructlon, arrangement and operation of its parts are such that perfect,

nnished-andcompact castings may be gnade from copper and itsmeveral'alloys, as well v as from other high fusing metals, with leSS labor, expense'a-nd waste than any-of the processes and apparatus heretoforeemployed for the purpose are capable of producing.

Av further object is to provide a casting.

agparatus, which is simple, durableiand. e ective, and wherein the product-pf the machine requires no wasteful trimm ng, or

{laborious finishing in order to prepare th same for commercial or other uses. The invention conslsts principally of a furnace havi a hinged cover, to the underside ofwhich 1s connected a melting- 0t and tiffthe cy casting:eylinder suspended inthe rnace, H der-and melting-pot connected by a port. i

Q ,The invention further consists of a'valveoperatively fitted to the underside of the [5 cylinder, to control the flow ofmolt'en metal 'flfl'om the-melting-pot into-the cylinder. 1

The invention further consistsof a mold or die which is supported above, andad'apted toreceive molten metal forced from the castjug-cylinder.

H Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

= The invention-further comprises means for locking and holding the mold and re lated parts in casting position. v

The invention further comprises means ing-parts and also the valve.

The invention further consists of a hand operated plunger for said casting-cylinder, the said plunger made of metal capable on 'withstandin a higher tem nature than that require to melt the castmg-metal, and havinga smaller diameter than the bore of the cylinder in which it is employed for dis placing and forcingthe molten metal into the mold. And the invention further comprises means for supporting and guiding the plunger. 1 I To his end the. invention consists in the jcombination, construction and arrangement %of parts of the apparatus ashereinafter fully described, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, and then pointed out in the claims. .Beferring to the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the casting apparatus, showing the fire-box and a mold mounted upon "it; also showing means for simultaneously operating the die-lock and the valve. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the machine, substantially on the line 22' oi Fig. 1, showimz the location and arrangement of the casting-cylinder and melting-pot; also showing" 10mm and construction of the valve-and its operating mechanism. Fig.6 is a con-- tral longitudinal section through the'machine, as .onthe line 33 of Fig. 2, showing the construction and manner of applying the plunger and its supporting and operat- 'ing parts; also showing tied location oi". the .;valve,. the construction. and; disposition of the lock for holding the die in operative position, and other important parts of the device. side elevation, an end: view, and across-see- 'tion of the lantern! guides which supports the plunger. Fig. 7 is, an enlarged detail sectional view of the valve and relatml pal-"ts.-

for simultaneously operating the mold-10015 an Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are respectively, "a-

ice

Fig. 8' is an. enlarged detail section, showing -.corresponding parts-throughout the several views.

In the drawings, 2 re resents the main casing of the furnace or EI'G-bOX, and 3 the hollow interior. I

4 represents inlet pipes and ports disposed in one side of the casing, through which gas for heating the furnace is supplied by a common pipe 5. J

6 represents a large port formed through the opposite wall of the casing, for exhausting the burned gases during the firing of the furnace. A pipe or other suitable form of conductor may be applied to the port 6. K

7 represents a movable'plate or cover for inclosing the upper open side'of the furnace, therear end of which is provided with lugs 8, which are pivotally connected to corresponding lugs 9 formed near the rear corners of casing'2. A bolt 10 is employed for securing the front end of plate 7 to the top of the fire-box during the operation of the machine.

11 represents a casting-cylinder disposed in the furnace and preferably secured in suitable manner to the underside of plate 7 and movable therewith.

12 represents a melting-pot formed integrally with and disposed on one side of cylinder 11. The upper end of the melting-pot is formed into a large mouth or opening 13 through which the metal to be melted is inserted.- The walls or sides of the open end 13 extend upwardly through and tightly fit a corresponding opening in the plate 7.

14 represents a contracted circular passage at the lower end of the melting-pot which connects with a port 15 formed in the bottom of the casting-cylinder, by means of which the molten metal flows from the melting-pot into the interior of the cylinder.

A plunger 1 operable reciprocally inthe cylinder, and having a diameter considerably less than the bore of said cylinder, is employed for displacing and forcing the molten metal from the cylinder into the mold. The outer end of the plunger is provided with a forked extension 17 to which 'is connected the lower end of a hand-lever as'will stand the great heat required to melt the other metals for casting.'

,As the plunger 16 becomes immersed in a large'body of. the molten metal at each inward stroke, it is liable to fuse or otherwise deteriorate by reason of the intense.heat of the molten metal, unless it also is constructed from a material which will resist a temperature considerably in excess of that employed for fusing the casting metal. In order to safe-guard against this danger, and at the same time provide a plunger which will retain its true shape, the plunger 16 is preferably made from a high carbon steel, which has a melting point several hundred degrees above that of copper.

For a casting machine such as shown and described herein, it has been found necessary, in order to prolong the life of the plunger, to dispose the same in such manner that when not employed for displacing the metal, the body of the plunger is almost wholly withdrawn from the cylinder cavity, as shown. Under this arrangement only the face of its inner end is constantly in touch with the molten metal, and the body of the plunger may thus be kept at a comparatively low temperature to prevent deterioration. The plunger 16 is necessarily rather bulky and heavy, and owing to its disposition, as described, requires means for its support while in the outer or idle position. For this purpose I provide a cylindrical part 20, one end of which is tightly fitted into the open end of the cylinder, like a bushing, and secured thereto by suitable means, as screws 21. The guide 20 is preferably of a lantern construction, having annular portions 22 at its opposite ends, connected by integral rounds or bars 23, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Guide 20 is bored out centrally to operatively receive plunger 16. The free end of guide 20 and also the plunger extend outwardly through an opening 24 formed in the front end wall of the casing 2. In this position a considerable portion of the plunger, and also of the guide are exposed to the at- -mosphere, which will have a coolin effect upon these parts. The inner end of guide 20, being disposed at a point where the heat from the gas flame and molten metal is highest, it has also been found necessary to make this part of metal which will stand constant exposure to the high temperature. To this end I prefer to make the guide out of nickel-steel which requires a very high temperaturge, comparatively, to melt.

In order to prevent the escape of the molten metal from the open end of the cylinder by passing between the plun er and guide 20, and also for the purpose 0 shielding the inner end of the guide, as well as, the sides of the plunger fromdirect contact with the molten metal, I provide'a packing, preferably of asbestos, compressed into a heayy ring 25, adapted to surround and tightly fit the inner end of the plunger and also cover the inner end of the guide, the ring being secured to the latter by screws or other suitable means.

26 represents a port in the upper side of the cylinder near its inner end, throughwhich the molten metal is discharged when displaced by the inward stroke of the plunger.

27 represents a tube forming a passage to connect port 26 with a mold 28, mounted upon a supporting plate 29, which is hinged to the plate 7, at 30. The plate 29 has a large perforation 29, near its center, through which the discharge tube 27 and related parts pass to'connect with the mold. Discharge tube 27 is kept at a high temperature to prevent the chilling of the molten metal therein, by an independent gas-heater, comprising a cylindrical casing .31, and a perforated cylindrical part'32, both of which are disposed outside of, and concentric to,

discharge tube 27, and each are spaced a suflicient distance from each other and from tube 27, to facilitate the burning of the gas between them for heating the discharge tube. The gas for this burner is supplied through a pipe 33, which connects with the casin 31.

In order to .operate the casting mac inc effectively and safely, the mold or die must be brought into close contact with the upper end or nozzle of discharge tube 27, and held rigidly in such position while the molten metal is being forced into the mold; To this end I provide a simple locking-part 35, which is secured to a rocking-shaft 36, supported at its inner end by a pair of lugs 37, which are. mounted upon the plate 7. The locking-member 35 is disposed, between. the lugs 37 in such manner that its lower curved end which I is slightly eccentric -may be swung inwardly to engage a notch 38 formed. centrally in the front end of support 29. The full lines in Fig. 3 showlock-35 engaging the notch 38, to hold the moldtightly against the end of discharge tube 27; the dotted lines in the same figure show the lock in its. released position, allowing the diesupport to be swung upwardly on the pivot 30 to remove the casting.v The outer'end of rock-shaft 36 is supported by a bracket 40 which is mounted onthe outer edge of the plate 7, by bolts 41. A crank 42 is fitted to i the outer end of shaft 36 foroperating the shaft and lock 35.

The casting machine herein described and between the melting-pot and casting-cylinder allowing the molten metal to freely gravitate into the latter each time theplunger is withdrawn, it is preferred to retain the metal inthe melting-pot except I during the brief period required to fill the 'mold. By this means the high temperature required for melting copper and other highpoint fusing metals may be maintained and the effectiveness of the machine enhanced. To this end, a valve .44 is disposed in a circular hole in line with the passage 14, be-

neath the port 15, to control the flow, of metal into the casting cylinder 11. The valve is formed on the inner end of a rod or stem 45, dispos d horizontally, partly within and partly withontthe furnace, as. shown. The valve is formed by cutting away a portion of the rod at 44, as shown in Figs. 2, 7 8 and 9. F igs. 2 and 8 show the valve open,

and in this position the notch 44 coincides with the passage '14, thus providing a free course for the molten metal to flow from the pct 12 to the cylinder 11. The valve is so positioned that when rod 45 is rotated about one-third of a turn in either direction the wrought-iron pipe, which will readily withstand the heat required to melt the casting metals, and has agreater diameter than the stem 45, so as to provide an air-space around the stem to keep it cool The shield 46 is attached to the underside of the cylinder by threads at 47, and the valve stem 45 is shouldered at 47 near its innerend-to serve the double purpose of holdin the valve from inward movement, and at t e same time pre- 1 venting the molten metal from escaping into the fire-box. The tube 46 has a portion .cut away at 46 so as" to allow the hotair to' escape. The outer end of shield 46 is supported by a depending integral arm 49 of the bracket 40, the lower end of which is formed into an eye or collar 48 -to receive and hold the shield, and a set-screw 48 is employedv to secure the shield rigidly in place. Near its outer end, the rod 45 is provided with an annular flange 50, which is disposed just outside the'end of the sh eld 46. In order to prevent the longitudinal movement of the rod 45; away from the cyl r inder, a screw-cap 51, perforated centrally to slip over the end of the rod, is attached to the outer threaded end of shield 46. When the cap 51 is laced imposition on the-end of tube 46, the ange 50 is confined between the cap and the end of the tube and held in rotatable position, but incapable of endwise movement in either direction.

.The valve being disposed in the under side of the cylinder, and its operative-rod being disposed partly inside and partly outside of. the fire-box, and all of these parts 6 being movable with the cover 7, it is necessary to construct the casing of the firebox in a manner to permit of the raising and lowering of the valve-operating parts with the cover 7. To this end, a deep recess 57 is formed in the side wall of the furnace by depressing the walls 58 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Then to provide for the raising and-lowering of the casting cylinder and valve-rod out'of and into the fire-box, a slot 59 is formed in the inner wall ofrecess 57 This slot extends from the underside of the cover 7 downwardly. to the underside of shield 46, as -shown in Fig. 2. It being necessary to keep the fire-box closed. as tightly as possible, to prevent'the escape or waste of the heat required for the melting of the metal, the slot 59, except the portion occupied by the shield 46 is closed by a guard 60, which consists of a flat piece of metal having a width greater than the slot 59, and having its upper end formed into an angle by which it is secured to the under side of the plate 7 by bolts 61. The lower end of guard 60'is preferably perforated or forked to fit over, tube 46, and the body of the guard is adjusted to .slidably fit against the vertical wall 58. The valve supporting and operating parts and also theguard 60.are thus freely movable with the plate 7 when the latter is swung upwardly or downwardly on the pivot 8.

For operating the valve 44 I provide a sprocket gear 53 mounted upon the outer end of the rod 45, in line with another sprocket gear 54 mounted on the outer end of the rock-shaft 36 and then connect these wheels by a chain 55. Under this arrangement the rocking of the shaft 36, for looking or unlocking the die-support 29, also eifects the opening or closing of the valve 44. Owing to the movement of the lock35 being slight,-- as compared with the movement required to open and close valve 44, the sprocket-wheel 54 is preferably about double the size of the gear 53. In making castings of the character described, after the metal is forced into the mold and has become set, the operators are required to release the lock 35 to allow the die support 29 to be tilted back upon its hinge 30 in order to remove the casting. After the casting has been removed, l-he mold is again restored to its operative pos1t1on, as shown,

the lock 35 is again placed in notch 38 by manipulating crank 42, and everything is ready for another casting operatlon. The object in connecting the valve-rod 45 with the rock-shaft 36, in a manner to effect the synchronousoperation of ,the lock and valve, is to provide a means for'preventing the passage of the molten metal from the melting-pot into the cylinder during the interval in which the lock is in the released position. When the mold is made ready means of hand-lever 18.

for casting, lock 35 is set in notch 38 by manipulating crank 42 which also opens valve 44 and. lets the molten metal pass intothe cylinder 11. As soon as the metal enters the cylinder, the plunger may be operated by The inward stroke of the plunger will then displace a quantity of the molten metal and force it upwardly into and fill'jthe mold. In operating the plunger, the operator must exert enough strength or force in pulling on lever 18, to drive the plunger into the cylinder until it comes to a stop," which Will indicate that the mold is completely filled. He should then hold the lever firmly in the last position until the mold or casting is gated. Ordinarily in casting machines of the class agate (not shown) of some form is employed in connection with the mold "for closlng the port through which metal passes into the mold. The plunger should be left in the cylinder until after the gating and the setting of the casting. As soon as the metal in the mold is set, the lock 35 should be released by operating crank 42, which will also close the valve 44. Then the plunger should be withdrawn from the cylinder, and the casting removed from the mold. During all the time required for removing the casting and closing and locking the mold ready for the next casting operation, it is intended that valve 44 be held in closed position to prevent the molten metal from entering and filling the cylinder. By holding the metal in pot 12 during the intervals between casting operations themetal may readily be kept at the proper temperature for the work. Owing to the construction and disposition of the melting-pot, a high and uniform temperature may be more readily maintained in that part alone, than could be effected if the metal was allowed to stand in both the pot and cylinder during the intervals the plunger is at rest.

The necessary disposition of the open end 13 of the melting-pot in the narrow space between the plate 7 and the die-support .29, so as to permit fresh metal to be inserted for melting, renders it difiicult to provide a convenient covering for the same, which will not interfere with the adjacent working mouth 13 'so as to prevent over-flow of the metal when under pressure produced by the inwardvstroke of the plunger, a lining or packing of} asbestos or like material 52, is

fitted to the inner face of the cup, in a manner to effectively seal the melting-pot each time die plate 29 is placed in horizontal position, as shown in the drawings, and particua larly to seal the same during the interval that the valve44 is n. When plate 29 is swung upwardly on this pivot 30, the mouth of the pot is opened to permit fresh unmelted metal to be inserted.

the employees may perform their work about the machine with greater safety, because there .is little or no danger of the molten 115 metal being forced out of either the nozzle 27,

orthe mouth 13 of the melting-pot, by the accidental operation of the plunger. Heretofore casting'machines of the class have not been provided with such safe-guards and many .of the attendants have been burned by the molten metal which at times was forced out of the melting-pot and nozzle, when the die was disconnected.

It is obvious that some changes or modifications may be made in the parts of the device without departing from the spirit of my invention and I therefore do not wish to restrict myself to the precise construction and arrangement as herein shown and de- 3o scribed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A casting apparatus, comprising afurnace, a casting-cylinder disposed in said furnace, a plunger for said cylinder, alantern support for said plungenwthe inner end of said support inserted in the outer end of said cylinder, a mold disposed above said casting- 40 cyl nder, .a tubular passage connecting said cylinder: with said mold, means for locking said mold in castingposition, a meltingzpot' er,

mounted on the side of said casting-cylin a piort connecting the melting-pot with said cfv nder, a valve to control the 'flow-of-molten metal from said melting-pot into said cylinder, a train ofsprocketsgears to connect said valve with said mold-loclcing-means, and a crank adapted .for synchronously operating said valve and said mold-loclring-means.

2. A casting apparatus, comprising a furnace and means for heating the same, a casting-cylinder disposed in said furnace, a

loosely fitting said cylinder,a cylinrieal guide for said plunger, the inner end of said guide tightly fitted to the outer end of said cylinder, a hand-lever for operating said plu er, a mold disposed above said casting-0y index, a discharge tube connecting Bl! ,saideylinder with said mold, a locking-member-mounted upon a rock-shaft adapted to hold said mold in casting position, a meltingpot disposed said furnace and connecting with said cylinder by means of a port, a valve 5 interposed between said melting-pot and said By the employment of the valve 44, con-- nected and operated in the manner described,

flow of molten metal from said melting-pot holding said mold,;against the free ended said discharge tube, means for said valve with sald l-means,

cylinder adapted to permit or prevent the flow of molten metal from said melting-pot into said cylinder, the said valve having an operating-rod extending outwardly through a slot in the wall of said furnace, a guard to 7( close said slot, a sprocket-wheelmountedon the outer end of said valve-rod, a sprocketwheel mounted on said rock-shaft, a chain to I connect said. sprocket-wheels, and a crank mounted on said rock-shaft adapted to operate said lock and said valve synchronously.

3. The'combination with .a fire-box and a mold operatively mounted upon said box, of a casting-cylinder having one open end dasposed in said fire-box, a plunger loosely fitting said cylinder adapted to be operated for displacing and forcing molten metal into the mold, a lantern-guide to support said pl when in its outer position and adapted to guide said plunger concentric to the bore of said cylinder when operated reciprocally therein, the inner end of said guide tightly fitting the outer end of said cylinder, a packing-rmg disposed around the nner end of said cylinder and against the inner end of said guide, a melting-pot disposed n said fire-box, a port to connect sa1d melting-pot with said cylinder, a valve disposed in the bottom of said cylinder adapted to open and close said port, the said valve'formed on the inner end of an operating-stoma tubular casing surrounding said valve stem, the inner end of said casing connected by threads to the bottom of said cylinder, a sprocketgear mounted on the outer end of said valve a rock-shaft mounted upon said fire-box, a sprocket-wheel mounted on the outer end of said rock-shaft, a chain to operatively 0onnect said sprocket-wheels, a locking-me mounted on the inner end of said rock-shaft,

adapted to lock and hold the mold in eastiug position, a crank mounted upon the outer end of said rock-shaft for operating said locking-member and said valve in the same time, and a lever for operating said plunger.

4. A casting apparatus, comprising a cast- Jing cylinder having a discharge tube disposed near one end, a mold disposed above said cylinder and connecting with said dischar tube, a melting-pot having an open top and having a contracted passage mats bottom, a port in said cylinder connecting with said passage, a valve disposed in sea passage adapted to permit or prevent the into cylinder, means for locking and and means for operating said valve and said looki-ng-means synchronously.

5. A casting apparatus, comprising a casting-c linder havin .a' discharge tube daspose near one on a mold di' sed above said-cylinder and connecting w th said discharge tube, a melting-pot having an open top and'having a contracted passage in its bottom, a port in said cylinder connecting with said passa e, a valve disposed in said passage adapte to permit or prevent the flow of molten metal from said melting-pot into said cylinder, means for locking and holding said mold against the upper end of said discharge tube, means for connecting said valve with said locking-means, means for operating said valve and said lockingmeans synchronously, a cylindrical plunger operable reciprocally in said cylinder, the said plunger having a smaller diameter than the bore of said cylinder, the said plunger adapted to be operated for displacing molten metal and forcing the same from said cylinder into said mold, and a hand-lever for operating said plunger.

6. A casting apparatus, comprising a furnace, acasting-cylinder disposed in said furnace' having one open end, and having a discharge tube disposed near the opposite end, a plunger adaptedto operate reciprocally in said cylinder, the said plunger having a diameter smaller than the bore of said cylinder, a cylindrical-support for said plunger, the inner end of saidsupport telescoping the open end of said cylinder and rigidly secured thereto,the said support adapted to.

guide and hold said plunger truly concentric to the bore of said cylinder, a hand-lever plvoted to said furnace for operating said plunger, a mold mounted upon said furnace adapted when set in casting position to con- 'nect with said discharge tube, and capable of being movedaway from said discharge tube for the purpose of removingla casting, a rock-shaft disposed upon said 111g aflmold-lock mounted on one end and a,

rnace havsprocket-wheel fitted to the opposite end, a

' melting-pot supported by said casting-bylinder, a port connecting said melting-pot with said eastifigeylinder, a valve to permit or prevent the flow of molten metal from said melting-pot into said casting-cylinder,

the said valve having an operating-rod disosed in a slotformed in the wall of said. mace, a bracket mounted on the top of said furnace having an upwardly projecting arm to sup downwar outer end of said valve-rod, a sprocket gear ort said rock-shaft, and having a,

mounted'on the outer end of said valve-rod 1n hne with the firstmentioned sprocket-- wheel, a chain to operatively connect said sprocket wheelsgan a crank mounted on sa1d rock-shaft for operating said mold-lock described. a i y 7. A casting machine, comprising a firebox, a melt1n g- 0t disposed in said fire-box, a casting-cylin er disposed in said fire-box, the sa1d cyhnder having a port for the pasand said'valve in equal time, substantially as sage of molten metal from the said meltinga cylindrical guide for supporting said.

plunger, one end of said guide fitting in the end of said cylinder, means for operating said plunger reciprocally for the purpose of displacing molten-metal from said cylinder, a valve disposed in the underside of said cylinder adapted to permit or prevent a passage of molten metal from said melting-pot into said cylinder, and means for operating said valve.

8. A casting apparatus, comprisin a casting-cylinden having a discharge tu e near one end, the opposite end being open, a mold disposed above said cylinder and connecting with said discharge-tube, a melting-pot having an open top and a contracted passage in its bottom, a port in the bottom of said cylinder connecting with said passage, a valve disposed in said passage adapted to ermit or prevent the fiow of molten metal from said melting-pot into said cylinder, a lock for holding said mold in operative engagement with said discharge-tube, a pair of sprocket-gears and a chain to comiect said valve with said lock, and means for operating said valve and said lock synchronously.

9.. A casting apparatus, comprising-Ha firebox having a movable cover, a casting-cylinder supported by said fire-box cover suspended in the fire-box, the said cylinder having a discharge-tube formed near one end, the opposite end thereof being open, connecting with said discharge -tube, the said mold mounted upon a support hinged to the cover of the fire-box, a melting-pot supported by said cover having an open top for inserting unmelted metal and having a contracted passage in its bottom for the discharge of molten metal, a port in said cylinder connecting with the passage in said .melting-pot, a cylindrical-guide having its adapted for displacing and forcing molten metal from said cylinder through said disy extending arm to support the charge-tube into said mold, and a, valve disposed in the bottom of said cylinder adapted to permit or prevent the passageof molten metal from said melting-pot into said cyl der and meltin -pot supported by said cover within the fireox, the melting pot and cast- 125 ing-cylinder connected by a port, a mold disposed above said cylinder, the said mold mounted upon a sup ort hinged to the cover of the fire-box, a ischarge-tube for connecting said ,cylinder with said mold, a 130 lantern-guide having its inner end tightly fitted in the outer end of the cylinder, its

outer end extending through the Wall of the fire-box, a plunger supported by "and operatively fitting said guide for reciprocal into said cylinder when said mold is in engagement with said discharge-tube and to prevent the molten metal from flowing into said cylinder when said mold is out of engagement with said discharge-tube.

1].. A' casting apparatus, comprising a firebox having a movable cover, a casting-cylin- 'der and melting-pot supported by said cover Within the fire-box, the melting-pot and casting-cylinder connected by a port, a mold disposed above said cylinder, the said mold mounted upon a support hinged to the cover of the fire-box, a discharge-tube for connecting said cylinder with said mold, a lantern,- guide having its inner end tightly fitted in the outer end of said cylinder, its outer end extending through the wall of the fire-box, a plunger supported by and operatively fitting said guide adapted for reciprocal movement in said cylinder for displacing and forcing molten metal from said cylinder into said mold, a valve disposed in the bottom of u said cylinder adapted'to permit molten metal to flow, from said melting-pot into said cylinder when said mold is in engagement with i said discharge-tube and to prevent the molten metal from flowing into said'cylinder when said mold is out of engagement with *said discharge-tube, and means for operating said valve.

12. A casting apparatus, comprising a firebox having a movable cover, .a casting-cylinder and melting-pot supported by said cover within the fire-box, the melting-pot and casting-cylinder connected bya port, a mold dis posed above said cylinder, the said mold mounted upon a support hinged to the cover of the fire-box and movable independently of said cover, a discharge-tube for connecting said cylinder with said mold, a lanternguide having its irmer end tightly fitted in the outer end of said cylinder, its outer end extending through the wall of the fire-box, a plunger supported byand operatively fitting said guide adapted for reciprocal movement in said cylinder for displacing and forcing molten metal from said cylinder into said mold, a valve disposed in the bottom of said cylinder adapted to permit molten metal to flowfrom said meltingpot into said cylinder when said mold is in engagement with said discharge-tube, and to prevent the molten metal from flowing into the cylinder when said mold is out of engagement with said discharge-tube, a lock for holding said mold in engagement with said discharge-tube, and a pair of sprocketgears and a chain for operating said lock and said valve synchronously.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in-presence of two witnesses.

' ELBERT B. VAN WAGNER.

Witnesses:

ELEONORA DOMSER, ROBERT L. WALLACE. 

